'''Jazz''' was the codename under which this family of systems was originally developed by [[Wikipedia:Microsoft|Microsoft]] before it was sold off to [[Wikipedia:MIPS_Computer_Systems_Inc.|MIPS Computer Systems, Inc.]] MIPS, [[Wikipedia:Toshiba|Toshiba]], [[Wikipedia:Acer_(company)|Acer]] and various customers and licenses have developed a variety of architecturally very similar systems.

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'''[[Wikipedia:Jazz (computer)|Jazz]]''' was the codename under which this family of systems was originally developed by [[Wikipedia:Microsoft|Microsoft]] before it was sold off to [[Wikipedia:MIPS_Computer_Systems_Inc.|MIPS Computer Systems, Inc.]] MIPS, [[Wikipedia:Toshiba|Toshiba]], [[Wikipedia:Acer_(company)|Acer]] and various customers and licenses have developed a variety of architecturally very similar systems.

Most of these systems were running the [[ARC|ARC firmware]] and [[Wikipedia:Windows_NT|Windows NT]]. Some systems made by MIPS were reconfigurable to [[Endianess|big endian]]; in big endian mode a different set of firmware and some [[Wikipedia:UNIX|UNIX]] flavor such as [[RISC/OS]] in case of MIPS was being used.

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Most of these systems shipped with the [[ARC|ARC firmware]] and were intended to run [[Wikipedia:Windows_NT|Windows NT]]. Some systems made by MIPS (''i.e.'', the MIPS Magnum 4000PC and 4000SC) were reconfigurable to run in [[Endianess|big endian]] mode by reflashing the firmware EEPROM with MIPS, Inc.'s proprietary SASH firmware; in big endian mode the Magnums could run [[RISC/os]], which was MIPS, Inc.'s proprietary [[Wikipedia:BSD|BSD]]-derived [[Wikipedia:UNIX|UNIX]] variant.

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== Architecture ==

== Architecture ==

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All Jazz computers are sharing the same "core" architecture codenamed RC4030 or MCTADR (after chipset).

Some Jazz models are using additional i8259 (PC-style IRQ) and i8257A (PC-style DMA) controllers to support ISA/EISA bus IRQ/DMA.

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== SCSI Options ==

== SCSI Options ==

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''ACER PICA-61'',''Olivetti M700-10'', ''MIPS Magnum 4000'' and ''MIPS Millenium'' are based on the [[NCR|NCR 53C90]] also known as QLogic ESP216 or ''ASC'', ''Advanced SCSI Controller''.

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The ''ACER PICA-61'',''Olivetti M700-10'', ''MIPS Magnum 4000'' and ''MIPS Millenium'' have a SCSI interface based on the [[NCR|NCR 53C90]] chipset (also known as the QLogic ESP216 or ''ASC'', ''Advanced SCSI Controller'').

The ''ACER PICA-61'',''Olivetti M700-10'', ''MIPS Magnum 4000'' and ''MIPS Millenium'' all use a [[SONIC]] Ethernet chip.

== Video Options ==

== Video Options ==

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The original Microsoft/MIPS Magnum 4000 and Olivetti&nbsp;M700-10 use a simple framebuffers 1024x768 based on the Inmos [[G300]] or [[G364]](64-bit).

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The original Microsoft/MIPS Magnum 4000 and Olivetti&nbsp;M700-10 use a simple framebuffer (capable of resolutions of 1024x768 or 1200x968 pixels at 8 bpp color) based on the Inmos G300 or [[Wikipedia:G364 framebuffer|G364]] (64-bit) RAMDAC and VRAM chipset (a similar G364-based framebuffer is found in an aftermarket graphics card for the Amiga).

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ACER PICA-61 is using [[Wikipedia:S3_Graphics|S3]]&nbsp;968 SVGA videocard with 2MB of video memory on the custom fast PICA bus. The video card looks like an EISA card but the notch is on the wrong side.

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The ACER PICA-61 uses an [[Wikipedia:S3_Graphics|S3]]&nbsp;968 SVGA videocard with 2MB of video memory on the custom fast PICA bus. The video card looks like an EISA card but the notch is on the wrong side.

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NEC Evolution is using Cirrus Logic based video.

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The NEC Evolution uses a Cirrus Logic based video.

== Sound options ==

== Sound options ==

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Microsoft/MIPS Magnum 4000 is using simply sound controller (codename Jazz) : 2xDMA for left and right channel.

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The Microsoft/MIPS Magnum 4000 includes a simple sound controller (codename Jazz) comprising two DMAs&mdash;one for each of the left and right channels, respectively.

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Olivetti M700-10 is using AD1815-based sound controller (?need to check)

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Although largely identical to the Magnum 4000 series in other respects, the Olivetti M700-10 nonetheless uses AD1815-based sound controller (?need to check) rather than the simple DMA system of the Magnum.

== I/O options ==

== I/O options ==

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== Firmware ==

== Firmware ==

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It is possibly to reconfigure MIPS Magnum R4000 system from little- to big-endian and vice versa by loading ARC or MIPS Monitor into the Magnum's FLASH memory.

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All Jazz family systems come with an [[ARC]] firmware.

All Jazz family systems come with an [[ARC]] firmware.

== Linux Support ==

== Linux Support ==

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Linux/MIPS supports the Olivetti M700-10 almost since birth. Support is supposed to be stable in 2.2 and in various stages of bitrot after that. As of Linux 2.6 resurrection of support is being worked on. Not test results on other Jazz family systems are available.

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Linux/MIPS has supported the Olivetti M700-10 almost since the original release of the M700, with support for the quite similar MIPS Magnum R4000PC achieved soon thereafter. Support for the Jazz machines is reportedly stable in the 2.2 kernels, but suffers from various degrees of bitrot after that. As of Linux 2.6 resurrection of support is being worked on. No test results on other Jazz family systems are available.

* [[Emulators#GXemul|GXemul]] has rudimentary support for the Jazz architecture

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* [[Wikipedia:MIPS_Magnum|MIPS Magnum]] entry at Wikipedia

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* [[Wikipedia:Jazz_(computer)|Jazz]] entry at Wikipedia

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[[Category:ARC]]

Latest revision as of 13:51, 17 April 2007

Jazz was the codename under which this family of systems was originally developed by Microsoft before it was sold off to MIPS Computer Systems, Inc. MIPS, Toshiba, Acer and various customers and licenses have developed a variety of architecturally very similar systems.

Most of these systems shipped with the ARC firmware and were intended to run Windows NT. Some systems made by MIPS (i.e., the MIPS Magnum 4000PC and 4000SC) were reconfigurable to run in big endian mode by reflashing the firmware EEPROM with MIPS, Inc.'s proprietary SASH firmware; in big endian mode the Magnums could run RISC/os, which was MIPS, Inc.'s proprietary BSD-derived UNIX variant.

SCSI Options

The ACER PICA-61,Olivetti M700-10, MIPS Magnum 4000 and MIPS Millenium have a SCSI interface based on the NCR 53C90 chipset (also known as the QLogic ESP216 or ASC, Advanced SCSI Controller).

Networking Options

The ACER PICA-61,Olivetti M700-10, MIPS Magnum 4000 and MIPS Millenium all use a SONIC Ethernet chip.

Video Options

The original Microsoft/MIPS Magnum 4000 and Olivetti M700-10 use a simple framebuffer (capable of resolutions of 1024x768 or 1200x968 pixels at 8 bpp color) based on the Inmos G300 or G364 (64-bit) RAMDAC and VRAM chipset (a similar G364-based framebuffer is found in an aftermarket graphics card for the Amiga).

The ACER PICA-61 uses an S3 968 SVGA videocard with 2MB of video memory on the custom fast PICA bus. The video card looks like an EISA card but the notch is on the wrong side.

The NEC Evolution uses a Cirrus Logic based video.

Sound options

The Microsoft/MIPS Magnum 4000 includes a simple sound controller (codename Jazz) comprising two DMAs—one for each of the left and right channels, respectively.

Although largely identical to the Magnum 4000 series in other respects, the Olivetti M700-10 nonetheless uses AD1815-based sound controller (?need to check) rather than the simple DMA system of the Magnum.

Linux Support

Linux/MIPS has supported the Olivetti M700-10 almost since the original release of the M700, with support for the quite similar MIPS Magnum R4000PC achieved soon thereafter. Support for the Jazz machines is reportedly stable in the 2.2 kernels, but suffers from various degrees of bitrot after that. As of Linux 2.6 resurrection of support is being worked on. No test results on other Jazz family systems are available.